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Problem and Solution Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 4: The solution in a story · Set 91 · 40 questions
TalentJR

Writer's tip (Problem → solution): First find the problem. Then find the part where the problem is fixed — usually the sentence just before the ending. The solution must fix THIS problem; a fix for something else does not count.

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  1. 1.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A boy gets lost in a big crowd”
    (a) His name is called on the loudspeaker (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) A rubber slipper plugs the crack
  2. 2.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Blue paint spills over a poster”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) The blue splash is turned into a lake (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  3. 3.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. Anjali pressed her rubber slipper hard over the crack. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there. Back on land, Anjali and Appa laughed with relief.
    (a) One bright morning, Anjali went boating on the backwaters. (b) Water began to seep in through a crack in the boat. (c) Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  4. 4.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One misty dawn, Tenzin woke up in his hill village. A baby yak had wandered away from the herd. Tenzin followed its hoofprints down the muddy path. He found it by a stream and gently led it back. His sister Pema gave Tenzin the first cup of butter tea.
    (a) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (b) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (c) A baby yak wanders away from the herd
  5. 5.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A baby bird falls out of its nest”
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) The torn page is mended with tape (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  6. 6.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building. The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. Pooja drew posters and stuck them on every gate. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. Pooja waved goodbye as Rocky wagged his tail.
    (a) The puppy had a collar, but no owner was nearby. (b) A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy. (c) On a Tuesday evening, Pooja found a puppy in her building.
  7. 7.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Grandpa cannot find his reading glasses”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A biscuit and kind words coax the puppy out
  8. 8.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. Simran put on gloves and lifted it very gently. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. Simran smiled as the mother sparrow flew home.
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) A baby bird falls out of its nest (c) The baby bird is put back in the nest
  9. 9.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A goat runs loose and eats the spinach”
    (a) The alarm button brings help (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) The earring is found beside a flower stand
  10. 10.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. Rohan sat down and studied the chain slowly. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. Rohan rode on, proud that he could fix a chain now.
    (a) A farmer shows how to put the chain back (b) A bicycle chain slips off halfway up a hill (c) It is built higher up with a moat
  11. 11.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. Yash held the torch while Uncle Ravi took out the spare. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes. Yash was proud he had helped, and the trip went on.
    (a) Bang! The back tyre of the car went flat. (b) On a long car trip, Yash rode along the highway. (c) Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  12. 12.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A tiffin box goes missing at lunch time”
    (a) Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak (b) She sings loudly without a microphone (c) The box is found under the last seat
  13. 13.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A puppy has torn a page of a library book”
    (a) The torn page is mended with tape (b) He changes into a clean spare uniform (c) A strong plank and rope make a new seat
  14. 14.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “The microphone stops working before her song”
    (a) She sings loudly without a microphone (b) The pot is moved into the sunshine (c) A bright sign and a bell bring buyers
  15. 15.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One busy morning, Manav walked to the vegetable market. A goat broke its rope and began eating the spinach! Manav ran after the goat and held out a carrot. The goat followed the carrot back to Lakshmi, its owner. Lakshmi gave Manav a bunch of carrots as thanks.
    (a) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (b) A goat runs loose and eats the spinach (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  16. 16.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On Pongal morning, Aditi drew a rangoli on the front step. A gust of wind blew the coloured powder everywhere. Aditi did not give up and started all over again. Her brother Sid held up a board to block the wind. By noon, Aditi’s rangoli was the brightest on the street.
    (a) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) Wind blows away the rangoli powder
  17. 17.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A car tyre goes flat on a long trip”
    (a) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (b) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it (c) They put on the spare tyre together
  18. 18.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On Craft Day, Rahul was painting a poster in the art room. He bumped a jar, and blue paint spilled everywhere. Rahul was upset, but his friend Simran had an idea. They turned the big blue splash into a lake. Rahul’s poster with the lake won first prize.
    (a) The baby bird is put back in the nest (b) Blue paint spills over a poster (c) The blue splash is turned into a lake
  19. 19.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On a hot summer night, Sneha read in her flat in Pune. Suddenly the lights went out, and her little brother cried. Sneha found a torch and made shadow animals on the wall. Her brother Arjun giggled at a shadow rabbit. Sneha told stories until the lights came back on.
    (a) The lights go out and her little brother cries (b) They put on the spare tyre together (c) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  20. 20.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. He found that he had left his homework at home. Aryan told Ms Gill the truth before she even asked. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day. Aryan made a checklist so he would never forget again.
    (a) One Monday morning, Aryan sat down in his classroom. (b) He found that he had left his homework at home. (c) Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  21. 21.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat. Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. Saanvi looked under the sofa and behind every cushion. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! Grandpa chuckled and gave Saanvi a big hug.
    (a) Grandpa could not find his reading glasses anywhere. (b) At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head! (c) One quiet Sunday, Saanvi was visiting her grandpa’s flat.
  22. 22.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Her model volcano will not fizz”
    (a) The shoes are swapped back (b) A carrot leads the goat back to its owner (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  23. 23.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A new girl has no friends at lunch”
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  24. 24.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. Advik opened the window wide and stepped back. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. Advik watched the butterfly flutter away into the sky.
    (a) A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. (b) After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. (c) Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  25. 25.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On competition day, Nisha stood on stage in the town hall. Her mind went blank on the word “necessary”. Nisha recalled the rhyme Mrs Sen had taught her. She spelt it slowly, letter by letter, and got it right. Nisha won the silver cup and thanked Mrs Sen.
    (a) A board held up blocks the wind (b) A hard word makes her mind go blank (c) A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  26. 26.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. Her train was three hours late. Fatima opened her bag and found a book of puzzles. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. The train came, and Fatima had made a new friend.
    (a) Her train was three hours late. (b) One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. (c) She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  27. 27.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One foggy morning, Fatima waited at the railway station. Her train was three hours late. Fatima opened her bag and found a book of puzzles. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together. The train came, and Fatima had made a new friend.
    (a) A train is three hours late (b) A bamboo pole pokes the kite free (c) Solving puzzles together passes the time
  28. 28.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class. At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. Meera and her friend Tenzin searched seat by seat. The red box was hiding under the very last seat. Meera shared her parathas with Tenzin to say thank you.
    (a) At lunch, Meera saw that her tiffin box was missing. (b) The red box was hiding under the very last seat. (c) On a busy Monday, Meera rode the school bus to class.
  29. 29.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On Annual Day, Kavya waited to sing in the school hall. Just before her turn, the microphone stopped working. Kavya took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage. She sang so loudly that everyone could hear her. Imran and the whole hall clapped for Kavya.
    (a) A rubber slipper plugs the crack (b) The microphone stops working before her song (c) She sings loudly without a microphone
  30. 30.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. Ananya stayed calm and checked every jar again. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. This time the volcano fizzed, and Ananya won a prize.
    (a) The baker fixes one letter in icing (b) Her model volcano will not fizz (c) Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  31. 31.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair. She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. Ananya stayed calm and checked every jar again. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. This time the volcano fizzed, and Ananya won a prize.
    (a) She poured in the vinegar, but nothing happened. (b) Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab. (c) On Science Day, Ananya took her volcano to the science fair.
  32. 32.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “Homework is left at home”
    (a) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (b) A board held up blocks the wind (c) He is allowed to bring it the next day
  33. 33.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    During the Christmas holidays, Maria went to the beach. Each time she built a castle, the waves washed it away. Maria thought hard and moved further up the sand. Her friend Kunal dug a moat to keep the water out. This time Maria’s castle stood tall until sunset.
    (a) Waves keep washing the sandcastle away (b) It is built higher up with a moat (c) She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  34. 34.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    In the dry season, Lakshmi walked to the village square. The old well had dried up, and people had no water. Lakshmi asked everyone to dig a pond to catch the rain. Raju and the others dug every evening for a month. When the rains came, Lakshmi’s pond filled to the brim.
    (a) They put on the spare tyre together (b) The village well has dried up (c) A pond is dug to catch the rain
  35. 35.Which is the best solution to this problem?
    “A marble rolls into a deep drain”
    (a) The glasses are found on top of his head (b) Clay on a stick lifts the marble out (c) He changes into a clean spare uniform
  36. 36.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    After the lunch bell, Advik walked into the music room. A butterfly was beating its wings against the window. Advik opened the window wide and stepped back. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside. Advik watched the butterfly flutter away into the sky.
    (a) A butterfly is trapped at a window (b) A basket tied to a stick scoops it out (c) The window is opened to let it out
  37. 37.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    One spring morning, Tara potted a bean in the school garden. Two weeks later, nothing had come up at all. Tara asked Mr Nair, the gardener, what was wrong. He helped her move the pot into the sunshine. Soon a green shoot peeped out, and Tara danced.
    (a) A bean seed does not sprout (b) Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh (c) The pot is moved into the sunshine
  38. 38.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road. Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. Rohan sat down and studied the chain slowly. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. Rohan rode on, proud that he could fix a chain now.
    (a) Halfway up, the chain of his bicycle slipped off. (b) Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it. (c) One sunny morning, Rohan cycled up the hill road.
  39. 39.Read the story. Which sentence tells how the problem is solved?
    One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony. A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. Simran put on gloves and lifted it very gently. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. Simran smiled as the mother sparrow flew home.
    (a) Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest. (b) A baby sparrow had fallen out and was chirping loudly. (c) One spring afternoon, Simran found a nest on her balcony.
  40. 40.Read the story. How is the problem solved?
    On a Wednesday evening, Meher went to the music school. She was too shy to sing in front of the others. Meher closed her eyes and pictured singing at home. Mr Bose, the teacher, asked everyone to sing with her. Meher sang the whole song and felt brave.
    (a) A snake rescuer carries it away safely (b) She is too shy to sing in front of others (c) Everyone sings along with her

Answer key

  1. His name is called on the loudspeaker
  2. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  3. Appa rowed fast to the shore while she held it there.
  4. Hoofprints lead to the lost baby yak
  5. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  6. A boy saw a poster and came running for Rocky, his puppy.
  7. The glasses are found on top of his head
  8. The baby bird is put back in the nest
  9. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  10. A farmer shows how to put the chain back
  11. Together they changed the tyre in twenty minutes.
  12. The box is found under the last seat
  13. The torn page is mended with tape
  14. She sings loudly without a microphone
  15. A carrot leads the goat back to its owner
  16. A board held up blocks the wind
  17. They put on the spare tyre together
  18. The blue splash is turned into a lake
  19. Shadow animals on the wall make him laugh
  20. Ms Gill let him bring it the next day.
  21. At last she laughed, for the glasses were on his head!
  22. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  23. She makes a friend by sharing her lunch
  24. Tanvi waved her notebook to guide it outside.
  25. A rhyme from her teacher helps her spell it
  26. She and an old man, Mr Iyer, solved puzzles together.
  27. Solving puzzles together passes the time
  28. The red box was hiding under the very last seat.
  29. She sings loudly without a microphone
  30. Fresh baking soda makes it fizz
  31. Joseph brought her fresh baking soda from the lab.
  32. He is allowed to bring it the next day
  33. It is built higher up with a moat
  34. A pond is dug to catch the rain
  35. Clay on a stick lifts the marble out
  36. The window is opened to let it out
  37. The pot is moved into the sunshine
  38. Mr Das, a kind farmer, showed him how to fix it.
  39. Dadi held the stool while she put it back in the nest.
  40. Everyone sings along with her

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